Steering-wheel lock



elr

Feb. 27, 1923. 1,447,099. A. E. MILLER.

STEERING WHEEL LUCK.

FILED JULY 9.1920. f 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.v

j xvi- :5.1" 25 Patented Feb. 27, 1923..

s'rEnRiNGWH-L noon., i g .iiipiicanon fired my 9', 1920. serial No. 394,:995.

To all 1 0/omit mag/co'ncefr-n: vice. This casingis dividedin'totwo sec- Be it known that L'Anfrnrm E., li/IILLER, a tions lfl 1b connected together by meansof citizen of they United States, .residing at four screws`2. 'Ifhes'e screware .oneeway Sacramento, in the countv ot' Sacramento screwsand maybe of anyconven'tional de',-

5 and` State of California., have in'ventedcersign of such one-wayscrews,f sothetiwherifotain new and useful lmproven'ients in Steer- Once the twosections are connected,togethi'er ing-Theel Locks, of which the following is' it is not 'possible to disconnect them.i y This a specification, reference being had therein casing,f1, is adapted tOsurrOundathe casingy to the accompanyingdrawing. 3, of the steering post, the steeringpost;itv;

l0 My inventionrrel'ates to certain new and selfv being' indicated bythe numeral/1L, and] 65 useful improvements' in means for ,locking the spark andl throttle .connectionsybvthe thel steering wheel of an automobile after numeral 5, in Fig. 4. yThe. casing l; has .an the wheels ha'fve' been turned to one side ork offset portion lC and enclosedV witliinffthis the other of Ya; straight Vline so'that the .maportion isthelock proper, comprising-in the" chine cannot be'opera'tively*driven forward present'case,1a combination locky haifinzgfa 7.0 by anjY unauthorizedperson,thereby sateknob, 6, surrounding whicheon .the face of" guarding the 'rnadhineT when' left' in the the casing are the numerals yformingthecoin'T owners absence. Y l f bination.' A pointer or'other chajracterp'is.

The object of" my invention" isf to pro-v placed on the'knob, and this is adapted to'.

vide a. lofck ofthis"cha.racter which'k is so indicate the proper numeralsfin theusu'al" 75\ constructed that itfcannot be successfully WGHllfIDOWIl 11121111161'. tampered with. that. isy so constructed-.that f My lock contains the usual tumblers .7X

it cannot be avoided .bj1 removing thesteerhaving'pins 7a. adaptedtobei'engaged by. auf

ingwheel 0'1- any other part Of the serig pin 8, carried `bythe rod 9', which is attached gear, that isso constructedthat while it to the knob 6, so thatthepinSmay engage 80' prevents a. complete revolution of thesteer-` the pins 7a and thereb-yf'rota-te the` tumblers ing wheeh'it nevertheless allows for lock O the-1553601381' pOfStiOIl Vfor the .WOIkngOf ing the Samewithin Certain range S that'it the lock. A coiled spring' l0, is placedbe-` is possible to" lock the' wheel (pricklyv withtween one of the tu 'blers and a top disk-11'.y

out the necessity of moving thesanie to an A locking pin 12 havingan opening l2a 85' exact.' position Such as is Common in the therein, is mounted adjacent the outer sur locks of this character now in use. face of the disk 11, and the rod 9y is adapted A further object of my invention is to to enter the opening l2a in this lockingpin provide a lock of this character wherein all This locking pin ycomprises a. widened' ceiiof the parts "constitutingthe locking means tral portion 12b and two narrowedend por- 90 are soenclosed that they are not accessible tions 12C-12d. The portion 12b of thelok: to an unauthorized person for the purpose ing pin has a longitudinall op'evning'le and:

of tampering with and avoiding the lock. disposed within this. opening is a coiled In the d'rawing'in' which like numerals inspring 13, and api'n uletfthe..latter being 40 dicateI like parts in the severa-l views, adapted to bev projected outward bjr theV 95' Fig; l is a front elevation of my improvedv coiled spring. yThis pin 14j in cooperation locking-device; with the springl, is adaptedftofact'fas en" Fig. Qis aif'e'rtical section of the same. impellinga means for'the purpose. of lthrow' Fig; 3 is a` top plan view of a steering innthe lock' out/of position.whenj'the"com 'wl1eel to -which. lmy locking device is at-` binatioii hasbee'n soY worked'that it is'pOS-"lo t-achedg' sible to do so. Adapted otoscooperte with Figiis'a detailvertica'lview; the casing, l, and the lockingmeans'esso Figf is 'a sectional view on lthe line 5-5 cia'ted therewith,` is a *member `carried .by

Fig'; l the steering wheel'of-the' vehiclejan'dthis Fig.' (iis a" perspective view of one ofthe member inav eithertakethevtorm;shownlin: 105

parts "ofiniy device; and i Fig'. 6, or that shown in' Figi?. J Inthe.:

,o Figris a perspective view of a modified former ,casethis'inembe'r .consists'rof a sleeveA form" ofimy invention. formed' of two equal sections;15,-1Q,fadapted Refr'ringgtothejdrawing-tlie numeral4 l to be*connectedY togetherby means of. one-.'

'indicates/the'outer'cesingof mylocking-de4 way screws 17, eacliotthe"portihsjand 1`1h0v spider arms.

16 having slots 15a-16a, formed at their up-per extremity, said slots being ot awidth sufficient to enable them to closely engage the spider arms of the steering wheel. The slots 15a-16a are formed opposite each other, and additional slots 15b, 16", each comprising one-halt the width of the slots 15a, 16, are formed on the abutting ii'aces ot the sections 15 and 16.

In assembling this member upon the steering wheel, the sections 15 and 16 are separated, and are each placed with one ot opposite spider arms entering their slots 15, 16a respectively, and are brought together at the steering wheel cap with their slots 15b 16D cooperating to engage the remaining When in this position, surrounding the cap ot the steering wheel, with each spider arm disposed Within a slot, the two sections 15 and 16 are connected together by the one-way screws 17, and when so con` neeted cannot be disengaged without the use of special tools adapted particularly tor this purpose.

The lower extremities ot the sections 15 and 16 have a segmental portion cut-away, as indicated by the numeral 18, of Figs, 2 and 1. This cut-away segment is the locks ing portion adapted to cooperate with the locking pin 12, and when the pin 12, is in the locked position it will be projecting into the segmental portion 18, and when the wheel is rotated while the lock is in this position, the pin 12, will abut against either of the shoulders 19-19, and prevent further rotation of the wheel. It will thus be seen that when the pin 12 is in its locked or up` permost position, the steering wheel can be turned but one-third of its cii'cumteience,`

and therefore the wheels oi the vehicle caw not be straightened sufficiently to enable the vehicle to'be driven or towed in a forward direction.

That lower extremity of the sections 15 and 16 which is not cut away is formed with an annular groove 20, and adapted to cooperate with this groove is a rib 2l, Jformed at the uppermost portion of the member 1b oit the casing. 'This rib 21 is of a length equal to approximately one-third of the circumference of the casing. It will be noted that this rib is formed in the section 1 ot the casing, and is directly opposite that portion ot the casing containing the locking pin 12. This rib 21 in cooperation lwith the groove 20 eHectually prevents the separation of the member mounted on the steering wheel and the casing 1, for when the locl ing pin 12 is projecting int'o the segmental cut away portion 18, the rib 21, will be inl position, within the groove 20, and 'cannot be moved out of position within the groove` so long as the locking pin is in its locked position, for the steering wheel cannot be` rotated suficiently 'to bring the rib 21 out of the slot 20, due to the action of the locking pin 12, in abutting the shoulders 1919. It will thus be seen that when the locking pin is in its locked position, it is impossible to remove the steering wheel trom the steering post. When the locking pin has been withdrawn from its locking position, and the steering wheel can be rot-ated completely, the wheel can be brought to suoli a position that the rib 21 will leave the slot 20, and thereafter if it is desired to make any repairs to the steering wheel, the same can be removed from the steering post tor this purpose.

A screw-threaded opening 22 is cut into the section 1b of the casing, and when the casing is in proper position, surrounding the casing of the steering post, a sharp tool is inserted through this opening, and a hole is punched in the casing of the steering post at this point. When this has been done, a

one-way pointed screw 28 is inserted into fore an unauthorized person cannot avoid the lock by rotating the casing.

In the modification shown in Fig, 7, the cap 25 ot the steering wheel has its lower extremity cut away for one-third ot its cir`y cumference, in a manner similar to that described in connection with the members 15- and 16, and the reinainderot its lower extremity is grooved at 30 for the cooperation with the rib 21 of the locking casing. This latter form has been devised for the use ot manufacturers of motor vehicles who'placc my improved lock on the vehicles before they leave the factory, and Aby torming'the steering cap itself with this cutawayvseg mental portion. and the groove 30, the necessity for use of the members 15 and l16,'is done away with. The latter is much the preferred construction, but cannot be used, un-

less the steering wheel is so made atthe factory. and is therefore not adapted for use on machines heretofore manufactured,

ln the operation otfmy device, assuming that the parts have been connected in proper position upon the steering post, with the members 15 and 16 in engagement with the snide-,rs of the steering wheeh'and assuming,

that the lock is in the unlocked position, the knob 6. carrying the post, 9, will be in an outwardly projected position, as'shown in dotted lines, 4. By reason of the pin 14, abutting aga-inst the interior ofthe lock casing, Vbacked by the spring 13, 'the loc-hing pin 12,'. will bein its lowermostposi- This is for .the purpose tion, as indica-ted by dotted lines, Fig; 2. lVhe'n the locking pin' is in this position the steeringvwheel and thereforefth'e members 15 and 16 can be freely rotated, and the vehicle can be driveny in the usual manner.

W hen, the owner leaves his car, 'and' wishesV gle as is possible, so `as toy allow for the' space occupied by the cut-'away portion. lVith the wheels in this position, the owner of the vehicle will place' his thumb or firi- Iger against the lowerextremity of the loclin'g pin 12, which as can' be seen from an inspection ofFig. 2,r will be projecting a slight distance below the bot-tom of the lock casing- 1, and lwill push this locking pin up'- ward as far as itwill go. Whenthe' locking pin is in its extreme .uppermost position, the knob- 6 is Apushed inwardly tol the position shown in full lines Fig. Land the rod' 9 will enter theopenirig 12a in the locking pin.` and will, thus prelventvwithdraw-al of the pin. The ownerof the vehicle will'now give a few turnsV to the knob' G'.su`flicientt0 cause the turnbl'ersl of the lock tov become di'sa'rran'ged. The sxteerinfr` wheel and therefore the wheels of the vehicle are now effectually locked, and there is no way in which a thief can `successfully tamper with this locking device, and render they same inoperative. y

The steering wheel of the vehicle cannot be removed due to the engagement of the rib 21 and the' slot 20, the lock casing' can'- not be turned on the steering post, due tol the pointed screw 23, the locking pin being fully enclosed within the lock casing, andl the sleeves 15 and icannot be tampered-A with, the tumblers and lockin,f rodi?, being' fully enclosed within the lock casing, cannotbe tampered with, the connected portions of the casino;v 1 can-not be disconnected, due

to the use of the one-way screws 2. andthe sleeve portions 15 and 16 cannotv be disc'on; nected by reason of the one-way screws used u1- their construction.

nearly thief-proof as itis possibleV to construct. It will also be seen that thismethod ofconstruction permits avery widedocking space which is extremely important, as it allows much greater freedom in locking. Wvhere the 'locking'spacefis small the operator of the vehicle has to turn his wheels to an exact angle before he can find the point where the locking pin will enter, while in my construction it is only necessary to turn the wheel to approximately a correct It will thus be seen* that I have provided a lock which is as position before the', locking the locking' space, 18. I By thevprovision of the rib 21, extending but one-third of the circumference of the casing, it` ispossible to remove the steering wheel for purposes of repair,v when the lockingf deviceis unlocked. With tlie'flocking clising` the lockingy sleeves 15 and 16, constructed as shown, no partof the casing of the steering post will` have to be cut or drilled, except' the: small hole punched thereinfor the reception of the screw 28. Perfeet' rigidity 0f my device is secured without the necessity of screwing sleeves 15 andl 16 into thehub ofthe steering wheel.

When theowner desires to' release ther locking engagement, he will work the combination Vlock in the required vmarmeruntil the'turnblers' arelin proper position and theny the 'knob 6, and the locking rod Qca'nfjbe withdrawn, ,thereby` permitting the with-I dralwalof the locking pin 12. soon 'as' the rod'9 has( been withdrawn," the locking pin 12 will'be" projected downwardly due' to' the spring 13 and p'in 14. which will pro-j ject the pin until the lshoulders thereof enpin can enter gage a part of the casing, and when this i Mv locking-device" can be attached tol any ofthe vehicles new in use in While. All holes are tapped at the factory so essary `is the mere attachment yof the lookin proper position. surroundingth'e case ofthe steering post'. W'he'n' the parts off the-locking device are properly arranged to copperate with each other, no fur-ther adjustments or 4changes are necessary, and the locking device is permanently in place. vv.The possibili'tyl of removi'ngthe sleeve 15,116', from the cap of the steering wheelis reduced to a minimum, because the sleeve embraces the' prongs of the steering wheel, because thej two parts-are firmly screwed together by locking screws and finally because the casingr o f the lock embraces the lower ends ofl the twouhalves 15 and lofthe sleeve, and therefore Vall three of these meansfwould have to' be' defeated in order to remove the sleeve, l,and i avoid vits purpose.

l a very short l(bored, drilled and that all that is nec- 1 L. 100

fit

`adapted to oper:

iso

thereof. and would serve the purpose in the same manner as in the present construction. f

Having thus described my invent-ion what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination in a locking device ytor the steering wheel oi a vehicle, of a member carried by the steering wheel and adapted to normally rotate therewith; a second member mounted adjacent the wheel; a rib formed on a portion of one member; groove formed on aportion ot the other member; adapted to receive said rib to prevent axial separation of said members when the rib is within the groove; a locking bolt within the second member; the first meni ber having a recess therein adapted to receive the projecting end of said bolt; said recess being of greater length than the diameter of said bolt, so that when the bolt is projected into said recess the first member may have a limited rota-tion with respect to said second member; and means for retaining said bolt in the projected position.

2. The combination in a locking device 'for the steering wheel ot a vehicle. vof a member carried by the steering wheel and adapted to normally rotate therewith; a second member ixedly mounted adjacent the wheel; a rib on one member; a groove oo the other member adapted to receive the said rib; the irst member having a circumfertial recess therein; a locking bolt in said second member adapted to be projected int-o said recess. said recess being of greater length than the diameter of said bolt so that when the bolt is projected into the recess the iirst member may have a limited rotation with respect to the second member; said locking bolt being adapted to enter the recess only when the said rib is in engagemcnt with the said groove; and locking means for retaining the bolt in the projected position.

3. The combinationlin a locking device 'for the steering wheel ot a vehicle, or a member carried by the steering wheel and adapted to normally rotate therewith; a second member tlxedly mounted adjacent the wheel.; a segmental circumferential groove in the first member; a segmental circumferential rib on the second member adapted to enter said. groove when themembers bear a certain relation to each other; a locking bolt within said second member; the lirst member having a recess in one extremity adapted to receive the projecting end or' said bolt, said recess being of greater length than the diameter of the bolt, so

that when the bolt is projected into the recess the rst member may have a limited rotation with respect to the second member; said locking bolt being adapted to en ter the recess only when the sai-d rib is in engagement with said groove; and means for retaining the locking bolt in the recess.

4l. The combination in a loc-king device for the steering wheel of a vehicle, of a member carried by the steering wheel and adapted to normally rotate therewith; a second member lixedly mounted adjacent the wheel; the first member having acin cumferential recess formed in a portion of one extremity thereof; a groove formed in the remaining circumference of said extremity; a locking bolt carried by the second member adapted to be projected into said recess; a rib at one extremity of said second member; said rib being adapted to enter the said groove; and means for taining the bolt in the projected position1 said means comprisinga lock; and a pin :tor cooperation with said lock adapted to engage said bolt and retain said engage ment until the lock is released.

5. The combinationv in a locking device for the steering wheel of ya vehicle, of a member carried by the steering wheel, said member comprising a sleeve adapte-d to surround the hub of said steering wheel7 said. sleeve being formed in two equal sections connected together; a lock causing fixedly attached adjacent the wheel adapted to cooperate with said sleeve; said lock casing being formed in two parts united in posi-y tion on said post; the lower extremity of said sleeve being recessed through a portion of the circumference; a segmental groove formed in the remainder of said extremity; a locking bolt in said casing adapted to be projected into said recess; a seg-` mental rib at the upper extremity casing adapted to enter the groove in the sleeve, the said sleeve and casing being held against axial separation when the ribl sleeve; the said sleeve and casing being of greater length than the diameter of said bolt; `the said bolt being adapted to be pro! jected into the recess only when the rib is in engagement with the groove; a locking device for retaining said bolt in the pro-Y jected position; resilient means for retracty ing said bolt upon the release of said lock.-

ing means; .and means carried by the casing for preventing the rotation of the same upon the steering post.

1n testimony whereof 1 hereunto aix my signature.

ARTHUR E. MILLER. 

